Partner Resources and Links

The Companies below have worked with Optec to integrate
our devices and instruments into their software products. Optec enthusiastically
recommends these software products. Click on any logo below to visit
the company website for more information.

A ntónio A lberto
Peres G omes (AAG)
has developed a number of programs and plug-ins for amateur astronomers
including AAG_Pyxis,
a handy utility to sync the FOVI (field-of-view indicator) in
TheSky6 to the
Pyxis camera field
rotator. Highly recommended!

DC3 Dreams
exceptional observatory control software package ACP supports all Optec
instruments through an ASCOM interfaces. Bob Denny of DC3 Dreams has been
instrumental in developing the original ASCOM drivers for many Optec products.
ACP provides full automated, unattended control of observatories across
the globe. ACP Planner allows complete scripting of all instrument
and dome controls providing all the tools required for a well run automatic
observatory. Click the banner or
here to visit the ACP
website. Highly Recommended!

CCD AutoPilot
4 developed and distributed through CCDWare supports manual and automatic
control of the Optec Pyxis rotator, TCF-S focuser and IFW filter selector.
A free trial version is available at the CCDWare website for download.
CCD AutoPilot provides astrophotographers the tools and capabilities needed
to optimize the imaging system and fully automated the image acquisition
over the course of an evening. The program allows for a complete robotic
telescope system with automated observing session. Click the banner
or click here to visit
the CCDWare website.

CCD Commander
will control your CCD camera exposures, your mount movement, your TCF-S
focuser, IFW filter selector and the Pyxis rotator to completely automate
your night's imaging. CCD Commander allows unlimited combinations of these
different actions to give you full control of your telescope and camera.
The simple to use Graphical User Interface makes these complex configurations
very easy to setup. Click the logo or
here
to visit the CCD Commander website.

MaxIm DL
is the fastest and easiest way to image the night sky. Whether you want
to produce stunning portraits, collect science data, or hunt for new objects,
MaxIm DL has the tools you need. Version 5 adds a host of new capabilities,
to make imaging and processing faster and easier than ever before possible.
Maxim DL integrates nearly all Optec products including the TCF-S focuser,
IFW filter wheel, and Pyxis camera field rotator through ASCOM interfaces.
Highly Recommended!

Click the logo above or
here to visit
the Diffraction Limited website.

FocusMaxsoftware uses a new auto focus algorithm that
was developed specifically for amateur astronomers and works exceptionally
well with the Optec TCF-S focuser. Visit Larry Weber and Steve Brady's
site or join
the FocusMax Users
Group on Yahoo!.

FocusMax features a First Light Wizard making it easy
to get stared on your first V curve. Neil Fleming provides a simple step-by-step
guide which can be found
here.

The goal of
Main Sequence
Software is to provide a best-in-class image capture suite for astrophotography.
As stated on their website "You have a lot of equipment and sometimes it
is difficult to get it all working together. We have written software that
is capable of executing complex sequences of capture events which will allow
you to spend more time looking up and less time fighting with your rig.
".

Visit
Main Sequence
Software to learn more about Sequence Generator Pro
and how to simplify your observing and imaging sessions.

Equinox
6 is a powerful planetarium program that has many features for both
the beginner and advanced astronomer. It has filters for organizing
deep sky objects with many controls to adjust the sky display, colors and
fonts. There is a window that simulates a telescope's view. Equinox
6 can control most telescopes, the TCF-S family of focusers, Canon
cameras and webcams. You can build tours and photo horizons and modify the
database. You can even slew your telescope with voice commands Click the
logo above or
here to visit the Microprojects Astronomy Software website. Equinox
6 works on Mac OS X only.

PreciseParts
will custom machine any adapter for Optec devices to most any other manufacturer's
device. Ashley Stevens has developed his "Build-An-Adapter" web application
to solve your connection problems quickly and easily.

Visit PreciseParts
and try out Build-An-Adapter for any adapter not found on our website.
Highly recommended!

RTS2 is an open-source observatory
control package used for remotely controlling instrumentation while running
a Linux-based operating system. It embeds SQL database integration for storing
detailed databases of observational data and records, as well as many other
useful tools and features.

RTS2 features support for Optec focusers, filter wheels, field rotators,
and the SSP-5 photometer. Full instrument compatibility information can
be found here.

TheSky6™ Professional Edition is used by more observatories and controls
more automated telescopes than any other astronomy software. For twenty
five years, astronomers worldwide have relied on TheSky for everything from
a visual observation guide to turn-key telescope control center. TheSky
has controlled the TCF-S focuser, IFW filter wheel, and Pyxis camera field
rotators since their introduction.

CCDSoft™ Image Processing and Camera Control Software provides control
for CCD cameras, and performs image processing, data reduction, and scripted
data acquisition. Think of it as “mission control center” for your observatory.
With built-in support for the complete line of SBIG cameras, and optional
support for many other popular camera models, CCDSoft is the tool most used
when capturing your favorite deep-space objects or hunting for undiscovered
celestial treasures. CCDSoft's comprehensive manual and detailed help will
guide you each step of your journey.

Stark Labs
provides software for amateur astrophotographers designed to be simple and
easy to use. These software packages are designed to be user-friendly
and to make capturing your images as easy as possible while still providing
the flexibility and power you need.

Nebulosity
(Windows and OS X) is designed to be a powerful, but simple to use capture
and processing application for a wide range of astronomy CCD cameras. Many
cameras are supported for capture as well as the TCF-S focuser family, and
images from just about anything can be processed (support for many FITS
formats, PNG, TIFF, JPEG, CR2/CRW, etc). Nebulosity's goal is to suit people
ranging from the novice imager who wants to create his or her first images
to the advanced imager who wants a convenient, flexible capture application
for use in the field.

The answer is a resounding YES!
/span>Astrophotography with Dobsonian alt-az telescopes is now possible
with the Pyxis camera field de-rotator. Click the logo above or
here to visit the
StellarCat website.